US President Donald Trump has declared that the foundations for a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine are now in place, following high-stakes talks with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
‘The Makings of a Deal’ Emerge from Florida Summit
Speaking to reporters as he welcomed President Zelensky on Sunday 28 December 2025, Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for a negotiated settlement. "I think both presidents want to make a deal," he stated, adding, "I do believe that we have the makings of a deal that’s good for Ukraine, good for everybody."
This confidence came despite a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv just a day before the scheduled meeting, assaults which Zelensky said proved Vladimir Putin was not serious about peace. However, Trump countered, insisting the Russian leader was "very serious" about seeking an end to the conflict, following a phone call with him earlier that morning.
Territorial Concessions and Security Guarances on the Table
In a significant development, President Zelensky confirmed that the previously unthinkable topic of territorial concessions would be discussed during the Florida talks. The status of the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, claimed by Russia, remains a major sticking point.
Zelensky revealed that approximately 90% of a 20-point draft peace proposal had been agreed upon by negotiators in advance of the summit. A key element of the plan is a proposed US security guarantee for Ukraine, mirroring NATO's Article 5, which would commit America and its allies to a collective military response if Ukraine were attacked again.
European nations are expected to be "very much involved" in a strong security agreement, according to Trump. Yet, a decision on whether to return frozen Russian assets to Moscow or use them to rebuild Ukraine remains unresolved.
International Coordination and Remaining Obstacles
Ahead of the critical meeting, Zelensky engaged in a flurry of diplomatic calls to coordinate with allies. He spoke with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, thanking him for "constant co-ordination." A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir reaffirmed the UK's "unwavering support" for Ukraine during the call.
The Ukrainian president also met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney en route to the US and consulted European leaders on Saturday. "These are some of the most active diplomatic days of the year right now, and a lot can be decided before the New Year," Zelensky posted on X.
While Trump described the talks as being in the "final stages" and potentially bringing "great economic benefits" for Ukraine, significant hurdles persist. Russia is likely to oppose any role for NATO forces in monitoring a ceasefire, a condition supported by European leaders including Sir Keir and France's Emmanuel Macron. Other European demands include allowing Ukraine to maintain a large peacetime military and to eventually join the EU.
The Mar-a-Lago summit represents the latest step in Trump's year-long effort to broker a ceasefire, having vowed during his campaign to end the war swiftly.
